Thursday, August 30, 2007

Music and Writing

Setting the mood can be essential for some writers. For me, music is a necessity for my writing workspace. It doesn't matter what kind of music just something that can set the mood. If I'm working on a specific scene, the mood can be created with the type of music I'm listening to. But if I have no idea where I'm going with my writing, I can listen to anything.

I absolutely love my iPod! It was a gift that I thought I'd never really use, boy was I wrong. It's been one of the most cherished gifts I've ever received. The shuffle is fantastic because I have over 10,000 songs on my iPod and most likely haven't listened to a quarter of them. I of course, have my favorites on different play lists.

This fall when I start writing my new book, I am going to put together a play list for the book. This way I have an idea of the moods and themes of the book. It should be a different way for me to write. I'll let you know how it goes.

Usually when I write - (Before iPod) - I had a CD of writing music that I listened to. The songs were all instrumentals and I felt that was good for focusing. Now I find half the time I don't even hear the music in the background. It's just there for those short laps in typing.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

The Discipline of Being a Writer

Being a writer isn't about being perfect or being the best. It's about discipline. When I'm writing a book, I write everyday, except Sundays. That is unless I want to write on Sunday and in that case I write.

I don't have time to write, you say. How do you? Well I have limited time because I have two small children. I write around their nap schedules and bedtime. And believe me it's not easy because one child doesn't usually nap but the other does, so it's about being creative enough to keep one child quietly busy, while the other one sleeps.

How much should you write a day? I write 2,000 words no less. I can write more if the napping is going well. But I must hit 2,000 words. I believe one of the worst things you can do as a writer is to stare at a blank page. Write something, anything. Even if it is about the weather or what you had for dinner last night.

I think a writer needs drive. The drive to keep going even when you've written 2000 words that don't even make sense. Isn't your goal just to write? Don't worry about the quality, you can work on that later.

Friday, August 24, 2007

The Crazy Characters in my Head

So, you want to be a writer? Are you prepared to be awakened in the middle of a deep sleep by a long distance, collect call from one of your crazy characters? Are you aware that sometimes these characters can be worse than stalkers? Worse than your own children?




Let me tell you, I am constantly bothered by my characters. Ones in current books and ones who haven't an identity yet but are demanding one. It can get quite tiring dealing with the children I create. And yes, I consider them my children - my babies. After all, that is what they are, aren't they?




If you're considering becoming a writer, I think you might first consider your genre. At least so far I haven't had to worry about killers and psychopaths terrifying me - but you just might.